Virtually every reputable luxury watch brand has released at least one new watch this year. Many manufacturers have unveiled multiple timepieces to extend their already-popular collections, whilst others have launched completely new collections. This guide to 11 of the greatest men's luxury watches covers sets from sporty chronographs to dress watches and a complete host of features, case materials and dials to explore. Before we delve into our eleven handpicked watches to purchase today, let's highlight a few of things you must consider before you buy a men's luxury watch.
YOUR LUXURY WATCH CHECKLIST
Remember, whether you're investing in a men's watch for initially or not, style and design say a lot about you as a person. Among the key things to choose on may be the layout of the dial itself. Do you need a legible watch for keeping track of the time at night? If so, a straightforward layout with luminous elements is a good formal occasions, you should think about steering away from digital or smartwatches and instead opt for a dressy yet classic dial. Case material also offers an effect on the general desired look of a watch. Stainless steel is ideal for an all-purpose watch, whilst 18ct rose, yellow or white gold cases are more refined and elegant.
You can also choose between sporty chronograph watches, pilot watches, dive watches and models with complications like annual calendars and moon phase functions, whilst tourbillon, minute repeaters and split-second chronographs are geared towards those with a taste for technical timepieces. Lastly, consider the strap you'd like to wear. Leather straps afford a normal and classy styling, rubber bands are practical for water-based activities, and metal link bracelets donate a jewellery-like finish to formal or professional attire. Given that we've covered the fundamentals, let's jump right into our guide to eleven of the greatest men's luxury watches to own.
OMEGA SEAMASTER DIVER 300 M
Divers or those who just love the look of a luxury dive watch should consider the Seamaster Diver 300 M watch from Omega.As its name suggests, it promises a water resistance of 300 meters and belongs to a remarkably broad selection of Omega dive watches for men and women. The Seamaster 300 M was such as sported on the wrist of Agent 007 in the film “Golden Eye” in 1995. It hit the radar of James Bond fans along with devoted Omega watch collectors and very quickly became recognised because the James Bond watch after featuring in “No Time To Die&rdquo ;.These men's watches have a definite wavey edge effect on the bezel and dial options in grey, blue, and olive green. The largest size available in the Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M watch measures 44mm in diameter. Perfect for saturation diving too, these models have a helium escape valve, along with a unidirectional rotating bezel and visible luminous-coated markings for the effortless measuring of elapsed time underwater.
ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST
If you're looking only at that guide to the men's best luxury watches and wondering where the classic and elegant dress watches are, look no more than the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch. The line, although one of the most expensive, is known for its diversity, with many materials, sizes and dial colours to choose from. The signature cyclops date features throughout this line, whether coupled with traditional Roman numerals, baton indices or the more recent palm or fluted dial patterns. The Datejust can be enjoyed on a 41mm diameter for men and will come in an option of materials that include steel, white gold, yellow gold and Rolex's Everose, not forgetting two-tone designs. All models are powered by an in-house made movement since 1945 and most come fitted on the unmissable Jubilee bracelet with a distinctive fluted bezel to add a far more dressier finish to elegant evening attire.
HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION
The Hublot Classic Fusion had to feature inside our top eleven men's watches because of its ability to quite literally “fuse” elements of the most popular Big Bang and Classic line together. Largely inspired by former Hublot watches from the 1980s, the Classic Fusion watch is ideal for most occasions because of its simple, yet legible dial, complimenting sports attire just in addition to it will a black-tie dress code online platform for luxury watches. One other desirable model may be the 3-Hands. It comes with a rounded case with a porthole-inspired bezel and integrated lugs. The no-frills design has a date window at 3 o'clock and are available in Hublot's proprietary “King Gold” material, or a more conventional stainless, a titanium version or a ceramic one. Four different men's sizes could be enjoyed in this style - a manageable 40mm, and mid-size 42mm and a larger 45mm.
ZENITH DEFY CLASSIC
The Zenith Defy Classic belongs to a variety of wristwatches created for extreme performance. These three-handed models have partially skeletonised dials, framed with a 41mm case crafted from carbon or lightweight titanium. Ideal for sports, extreme exploration and daring adventures, the Defy Classic could be enjoyed on sunburst dials with silver applied indices – all of which feature a date window located either at 3 o'clock or 4:30. One popular model may be the dark blue ceramic version with a corresponding coloured, crown, bezel and strap. The watch can be available as a skeletonised model, evoking a futuristic vibe and exposing elements of the Elite movement as it performs. For a smooth model that oozes masculinity and stealth, the Zenith Defy Classic watch may be worth some consideration.
IWC PILOT'S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH
You are able to select from limited editions, perpetual calendars and even rose gold versions of the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph.Each model features a stopwatch function set against a backdrop of iconic features unique to IWC Schaffhausen. The number is home to Spitfire and TOP GUN watches powered by in-house developed movements, not forgetting limited Le Petit Prince editions characterised by their dramatic blue DNA. Being fully a high-quality pilot's watch, the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph is geared to withstand harsh cockpit environments and is highly legible because of luminous hour makers and hands, not forgetting an internal cage of soft iron which wraps round the movement to safeguard it from damage brought on by magnetic fields. The back of each Pilot's Watch Chronograph is engraved with a special aircraft design, whilst the dials themselves offer stopwatch features in the shape of 30-minute, 12-hour and chronograph second functions.
AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SELF-WINDING
Pre-owned Royal Oak Offshore watches make for great investment pieces as they hold their value well. What's more, they can be found in various case and dial options and are a sportier take on the iconic Royal Oak watch. The self-winding versions are powered by automatic movements that guarantee precision all day long and all night. The porthole model of the Royal Oak is present in the Offshore series, which 's been around since 1993. More masculine in design, the Royal Oak Offshore watch had to produce it to our guide to the top eleven men's watches to possess because of its octagonal shaped bezel (adorned with 8 hexagonal shaped screws), its large case shape and its integrated band. The dial of the Royal Oak Offshore may also be recognised for its “Tapisserie” pattern, enabling collectors and watch enthusiasts to spot the watch from afar.
PANERAI LUMINOR DUE
With an elegant, flat construction, the Panerai Luminor Due watch is just a spin on the first Luminor watches from the 1950s. Some models are made of exclusive materials like Goldtech, titanium and rose gold. Others offer GMT functions and power reserve indicators. The important thing options that come with the Luminor Due watch are a date feature at 3 o'clock balanced with a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock. These features afford a well-balanced display that is equally as simple to recognise as it is to see enough time from. Sizes include 38mm, 42mm and 45mm – offering plenty of choice for various wrist sizes. The models out of this line are powered by in-house movements that give you a solid 3-day power reserve. If you're a person looking to grow his luxury watch collection and you liked the Luminor watch, you're planning to love the flatter and more elegant Luminor Due watch, filled with a traditional leather band.
BREITLING PREMIER CHRONOGRAPH
If Chronomat and Navitimer watches by Breitling are too sporty for you, the Premier Chronograph might be described as a good option. The line was introduced in 2018 but took inspiration from Breitling's 1940s wristwatches. The watches out of this series feature narrow bezels, slender hands and a collection of colourful dials. Within the collection are split-second chronographs and moon phase displays and all models are chronometer-certified. Some models are powered by the in-house Calibre B70, offering a staggering 70-hour power reserve, making them perfect for alternating with another wristwatch over the length of a week-end, whilst not reliant upon the motion of the wearer's wrist. Much more refined are those models crafted from 18ct gold, often fitted on a traditional-looking brown or black alligator leather strap to compliment your casual or formal wardrobe.